Tire-repair vulcanizer



M l l 630 815 ay 311927 H. K. wHEl-:LocK

TIRE REPAIR VULGANIZER Filed Aug. 27, 1925 3 sheets-sheet 1 BY 0 g3 l l ATTORNE May 3l, 1927., v v 3,630,85

. H. K. wHEr-:LocK

TIRE REPAIR VULCANIZER Filed Aug. 27. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TT ORNE Y.

May 31,1927. 1,630,815

H.' K. WHEELCCK TIRE REPAIR VULCANIZER Filed Aug. 27. 1925 s sheetssneet 3 HERBERT A M11/ffmc# BY O i@ A TTORNEY.

Patented May 31, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENToFFIcl-..

aannam: K. wHEELocK; 0F AKRON, omo, AssrGNoa l'.lo THE AKRON TYRWELDER coMPANY, or AKRON, oHIo, A coBroRATIoN or oHIo.

i TIRE-REPAIR VULCANIZER.

Applicatin led lAug'ust 27, 1925. Serial No.` 52,755.

This invention relates to tire repair 'vulcanizers, and especially to such vulcamzers of the steam core type. Y

In the repairing of cord tires, the maJority of repairs are made on the inside of the tire carcass, and it is one of the objects of the 1nvention to construct a device for eiiiciently vulcanizing repairs by heat applied'directly to the inside of the casing. It is alsdan object of the present invention to provlde apparatus which can be used with varymg styles and makes of tires, and which will l' accommodate itself tothe tire structure and, at the same time, secure a very high degree of pressure and superior results over former methods and apparatus in use. Repair vulcanizers formerly used required skillful operators, and even with the best operators and the most skillful use of the devices, the results were oftentimes unsatisfactory. The present invention enables the most difficult repairs to be accomplished easily and satisfactorily. A

The present invention in particular is directed not only to the provision of means to exert pressure evenly over Ithe entire surface, but to apply the heat where needed without overcuring the tread. 1t also dispenses with the use of soapstone and non-skid pads, and yet so thoroughly welding the repair to the carcass that the repair actually becomes a part of the tire.

An important object of the invention is to provide pressure'plates having yielding surfaces in contact with the surfaces of the tire, which when once adjusted, exert pressure upon the work during the entire curing operation, thus obviating the necessity of adjust-v ing the pressure plates from time to time while the cure is in process. As a means .for accomplishing this result, there are shown resilient studded cushions attached to the faces of the plates for pressing the tire, regardless of its shape uniformly and evenly against the core. Other yielding means might be used for this purpose. v

lAnother object is to provide improved means for connecting the cushions to the pressure plates.

Another object of the invention is to provide resilient; studded cushions embedded in the seat of the steam core to give firm contact to any shapel of bead.

Another object of the invention is to provide tread and side wall pressure plates 18, 18 by pipes 20, 20.

accompanying drawings and described in detail below. 1t is to be understood that the linvention is not limited to the specific construction shown and described.

-Of the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a double frame vulcanizer unit embodying the rinvention, one of the repair devices being shown with a tire therein, and the other in readiness for receiving a tire, the repair` of which is to be effected;

Figure 2 is a front elevation partly in section of a vulcanizer unit with a tire mounted therein; and

Figure 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, 10 represents a suitable supporting frame comprising legs 11, 11 on which are mounted parallel spaced channel beams or rails 12, 12 having supported thereon hollow, steam cores 13, 13 each formed with supporting feet 14, 14 resting on channels 12 and adapted to be secured through lugs 16, 16 into engagement with channels 12.- Steam or other heated Huid medium mayv be supplied into cores 13 by means of a supply pipe 17 and branch pipesy 13,`pipes indicated at 21 are provided which For draining cores-- are connected to branch drain pipes (not z shown) leading to a common drain pipe (not shown) on the rear of the device and each controlled by a valve 23. To permit periodical blowing 0E of cores 13, cocks, indicated at 24, are provided thereon. A t the seats of core 13 there are embedded therein resilient cushions 13a, 13a, preferably of rubber stud- 100 ded or ribbed, as at 13", 13b, next to the coreVA so as to' provide for uniformly contacting. with beads of different shapes.

For pressing the tread portion of a tire against each core 13, there is pivoted botween beams 12 a heavy steel clamp 25 of crescent shape, lugs' 26, 26 formed on members 27 bolted onto the under Side of channels 12 supportinga pivot pin 28 on which the clamp 25 swings. Clamp 25 has a 110 clamping screw 29 in its free end which is adapted to be swung over the top of core 13 whereby pressure may be applied to a tread pressure plate shown at 30. A vertical slot 25a is provided in each leg 11 in which clamp 25 is operable and the bottom of which affords a rest therefor when swung to an inoperative position. The plate 30 has formed thereon a stud 31 projecting a considerable height thereabove and arranged to be engaged by screw 29, whereby the plate under pressure will adapt itself to the general periphery of the tire and core 13. 0n the under side of plate 30 there is provided a resilient cushion 32 preferably of vulcanized rubber having a smooth underI surface. In order to increase the yielding qualities of the cushion, it may be desirable to form the surface of the cushion next to the under surface of 'plate 30, with studs, ribs or other projections 33, 33 regularly or irregularly arranged and adapted to provide additlonal cushioning qualities in such a way as to cause said cushion to assume the general shape of the tire tread, and to thus evenly and uniformly press the tread portion of the tire against core 13. For attaching cushlon 33 to plate 30, tits of rubber 34, 34 are formed thereon of such height as to be inserted and then drawn through apertures 35, 35 in the plate 30, said apertures belng of less diameter than said tits, to draw the cushion 33 against the inner surface of .plate 30, stretching of the tits by this action reducing the diameter thereof toy facilitate drawing of the Same throughthe apertures and expanding after tension thereon is released to ll the apertures so that they will have a gripping action in the apertures.

The sideypressure plates 36, 36 are each similar in construction to plate 30,. but are shaped generally to the contour of the sides f of the tire and each is mounted on a slide 37 mounted on and embracing channels 12. Each side pressure plate 36 has a stud' 38 thereon similar to stud 31 and the plates 36 are adapted to be urged against the core 13 by a yoke 39 resting on member 27 between channels 12 and having one fixed jaw 40 on one end, toward and from which is operable aclamping screw 41 threaded through the other end. Plates 36 each have resilient cushions 42, 42 thereon connected thereto in a similar manner to the connection of cushion 32 to plate 30 by tits of rubber 43, 43 and preferably being studded or ribbed similarly to cushion 32 as at 44, 44. Cushions 42, in addition, are supported on. plates 36 by portions 45, 45 thereon extending over the upper edges of said' plates.

In the use of the apparatus as descibed above and initially as shown at the right of Figure 1, the tire to be repaired is mounted over core 13 with/the repaired portion to be vulcanized in contact with core 13. `The side plates 36 are then mounted on "channelsA 12, between jaw 40 and the core 13 and screw 41 and the core, and the screw 41 is actuated to urge plates 36 against the core, the cushions 42 shaping themselves to the sides of the tire, the inner surface of the beads engaging cushions 13a, which assume the shape thereof under the pressure of the beads. The tread plate 30 is mounted on the ltread over the core and clamp 25 is swung to the right, carrying screw 29iover stud 31. The screw 29 .is then actuated to pressl plate 30 against the tire which is evenly pressed by cushion 32 against the core, the rubber of the cushion shapingr itself to thetread.

The vulcanization is now effected, steam being admitted to core 13 to bring it up to the desired temperature for the required length of time. The steam suppl is cut oii` when vulcanization has been e ected, the clamps 25 and 39 are loosened, and plates 30 and 36 are removed, clamp 25 being swung out of the way to permit removal of tire from core 13.

It will appear from the foregoing that a steam core vulcanizer unit has been provided for the purpose, whereby the tire may be n repaired from the inside in an effective manner and without over-vulcamzation of those portions of the tire such as -the tread and sidewalls, which subsequently would be subject to rapid-deterioration.

Modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A tire repair vulcanizer comprising, a hollow core having deformable rubber cushions in the bead seating portions thereof, means for supplying a fluid heating medium to the core, a pivoted clamp operable over the core, a tread plate, means on said clamp to urge said plate against the tread of a tire on said core, said plate having a rubber cushion on its tire engaging surface conformable to the shape of the tread of said tire, side plates, and a clamp embracing the core and adapted to urge both of said side plates against said tire on said core, each of said side plates havin rubber, tire engaging cushions thereon con ormable to the shape of the sides of the tire.

2. A tire repair vulcanizer comprising, a hollow core, means for supplying a fluid heating medium to the core, a pivoted clamp operable over the core, a tread plate, means on said clamp to urge said plate against the .tread of a tire on said core, said plate havmg a cushion on its tire engaging surface, conformable to the shape of the tread of said t1re, side plates, andclamp embracing the core and adapted to urge both of said. side plates against said tire on said core, each of said side plates having tire engaging cushthe yoke, a clamp pivoted beneath the core, ions thereon conformableto the shape of the and a tread plate adapted to be forced sides of the tire. Y against the tread of the tire by the clamp.

3. A tire repair vulcanizer comprising, a 9. A tire vulcanizing apparatus, comprishollow core, means for supplying a fluid ing parallel supporting rails, a segmental heatin medium to the core, a pivoted clamp core located transversely of and secured to operabe over the core, a tread plate, means the upper surface of the rails, a loo-se yoke on said clamp to urge said plate against lying between the rails, side plates adapted the tread of a tire on said core, side plates, to be forced against the side 'of the tire by and a clamp embracing the core and adapted the yoke, a clam pivoted beneath the core, to urge both of said side plates against said a tread plate a apted to be forced against core. v

4. A tire repair vulcanizer, including a ing t-ire contacting elements carried by the heated core, and means for urging a tire plates. against said core, said'means comprising a 10.A tire repairing apparatus, comprispressure plate, a cushion on said plate, said ing a core, apressure plate for operations oncushion having projections formed thereon a tire on said core, and a deformable cushion on the surface against said plate. element on the face of said plate, the edges 5. Apparatus of the class described, comof said element being free so that the eleprising a pressure plate having a resilient ment is adapted by pressure of said plate cushion thereon, said cushion having projecagainst a tire on said core to conform to the tions thereon on theside against sa1d plate. outer surface of the tire being repaired.

6. Apparatus for repairing tires, compris- 11. A tire repair vulcanizer of the intering-a core and a pressure plate for pressing nal heated arm type comprising a longitua tire against said core, said plate having a dinally arcuate, sectional core adapted to resilient cushion on its inner surface, which support a section of a tire to be repaired the tread of the tire by the clamp, and yieldcushion is free at its edges so that it will thereover, separate longitudinally arcuate flow under pressure. tread and side pressure plates having yield- 7 In combination, a resilient member and ing pressure faces and adapted to be itted`v a rigid member and means for detachably about the section of the tire on said core, securing the resilient member on the rigid and means for pressing said plates against member, comprising tits formed on the re-/said tire. silient member and apertures in the rigid v12. A tire repair vulcanizer of the intermember through which the tits are insertnal heated arm type comprising a longituable, said tits being of such length as to perdinally arcuate, sectional core` adapted to mit drawing of the resilient member thereby support a section of a tire to be repaired against the rigid member, after the tits have thereover, separate longitudinally arcuate been inserted through the latter. sectional tread and side pressure plates 8. A tire vulcanizing apparatus, comprisadapted to be iitted substantially about the ing parallel supportin ,rails, a' segmental entire section of' the tire on said core, means core located transversely of and lsecured to for pressing said side plates against said the upper surface of the rails, a loose yoke tire, and independent means for pressing lying between the rails, side plates adapted said tread plate against said tire. to be forced against the side of the tire by HERBERT K. WHEELOCK` 

